More than $10 million worth of scholarships and fellowship programs over the next four years and contributions to sports in the region are two major commitments which the Australian Government will undertake in efforts to improve its relationship with the Caribbean.
Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith who spoke to media on Thursday following an address at the Thirteenth (13th) Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) meeting here, said that an Australian volunteers program will also see the engagement of capacity building projects in the Caribbean.
“Over the next four years some $10 million worth of scholarships and fellowships will be made available. And it’s a very good thing from Australia’s perspective to see young students from the Caribbean coming to Australia,” Smith stated.
“We’re also doubling our contribution to community sports, our sports program in the Caribbean and opening up the prospect for Caribbean diplomats to be part of the training in Australia. We also have a very successful Australian volunteers program where Australians volunteer to come to a country and engage in capacity building or in development assistance and this year for the first time we will open up the volunteers program to the Caribbean,” Smith said.
Smith said that for the first time “productive and concrete” steps are being taken to formalize the relationship between Australia and the Caribbean. He said that though the region and Australia have been friendly for a long time, this has not been reflected in their government to government relationships.
“We are of course a country and a region which has had good warm and friendly relations for a long time period of time we share a love of cricket and a love of sport generally,” the minister said.
“But one of the points I’ve have made to the COFCOR meeting is that that has not been reflected by the government to government relationships and the nation to nation relationships and the signing of the memorandum of understanding in the Port of Spain last year; and my attendance hear reflects the fact that both of us want to very substantially enhance the engagement that we have,” Smith added.
By DNO Correspondent
These scholarships are awarded in what areas…?
And I hope that there is no “under 25” age limit for the undergraduate scholarships!!!!…
He who forgets his history is lost.
Is not 2 dominicans france killed to get our resources. Today it have a french boy as our pm. Giving away our fisheries, our colas, our quarries our jobs….
That lil french man there is one of … it will be only a matter of time for him to see the results of his action. The evil that men do live with them, I stand by in waiting as the time draws nearer!
Colin will give is back our salary cut?
Ambrose better. he make a better PM?
he will have full allegiance to DA!
He married.
Should we Thank God for Colin McIntyre?
Will he make a good PM?
Does he have full allegiance to DA?
Will he be influenced by those looking for “their Pocket”? Will he allow the civil servants who are trained for their ministries to function ?
As pm, McIntyre can give us back our pay cut.
Civil servant spend in the economy and will have a multiplier effect in the economy of Dominica not France.
Fantastic Honarable PM Dr Colin McIntyre keep up the performance & confidence .
a Dominican
who has works hard in the government and private sector. With great role models in your family
Yuo understand create wealth through integrity.
Be a man ask God and the nation for forgiveness in june you can take over as a PM. We know you will get the backing of all including small pin Astaphan.
Man stop repeating yourself and sounding like a stuck record. Give our beloved Prime Minister the Right Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit a chance. It seems like you blue vex.
Way to go Honarable Dr Colin McIntyre you will make a good PM.
You have shown performance and confidence in every area.
You can also get SC to do the jobs for less or free …
We hope you are not working for France. But a Dominican
who has works hard in the government and private sector. You have a lot of good role models in your family
Who understand what it means to create wealth through integrity.
Go like a man and ask the nation and God for forgiveness so come june you can take over as a Dominican PM
Honarable Dr Mac is a good PM candidate.
He is not an agent of France. But a Dominicans who has grown up farming animals to feed the nation.fantastic achievement Colin McIntyre we need A Dominican PM. One Who works hard in civil and private sector. who comes from a family of achievers through hard work and interlect.
Who understands that projects tendered to Dominicans means creating wealth for Dominicans
We need a Dominican looking after Dominica not a french man looking after french men
Great job Colin McIntyre just what we need. A Dominican who has invested in Dominica. Who has worked hard as a civil servant who comes from a family of achievers through hard work and interlect.
Well done Colin
Come june you would make a good pm.
We need a Dominican looking after Dominica not a french man looking after french men
thats interesting. Looking forward to seeing new developement in DA soon
yea but the problem is allu too dang RACIST over thurr…especially to indians dont evn talk about black ppl…
huh???????????
So you are saying it is a bad idea and that we should not accept the assistance for education and betterment? You are saying there is less racism in England or in the US or in Europe? What is really your point?
Great so my sister can pursue her career in athletics.